A three-justice panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently heard oral arguments about the constitutionality of California’s “Low Carbon Fuel Standard,” a piece of the state’s landmark global warming law, AB 32.

Out-of-state refiners and ethanol companies are challenging the law, implemented by the California Air Resources Board (CARB), arguing it violates the commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution by imposing limits on interstate commerce. The plaintiffs argue that requiring fuel producers to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions allows the state to discriminate against out-of-state businesses.

CARB said the standard will cut California’s dependence on petroleum by 20 percent, and will account for one-tenth of the state’s goal to cut GHG emissions by 2020.

It is not yet known when the Court of Appeals might issue a ruling in the case.

This article originally ran inNATSO News Weekly(NNW), NATSO's member only weekly electronic newsletter. NNW is packed with the latest updates on government and business issues affecting the truckstop and travel plaza industry.